If you need another acronym in your life, Bridgwater calls this EOPM (Enterprise Operational Performance Monitoring). Like the Internet of Things, this concept would rely on sensors.

“At its highest-level EOPM is a sort of holistic integration of every possible metric that the business can lay its hands on,” Bridgwater writes. “That word ‘holistic’ is important because this we are talking about the crucial confluence of automated business and technology metrics with so-called ‘systems of record’ and other mission-critical operational systems.”

Brace yourself: This is just one of many ideas we’re going to see bandied about as the Internet of Things (IoT, of course) takes center stage in the hype cycle.

Forbes focused on which vendors will become contenders in this space. Of course, we know Cisco, Qualcomm and Honeywell are focusing on IoT as a way to provide home automation.

Earlier this week, Google put down stakes with the acquisition of Nest, and AT&T is working on a home automation platform, according to Forbes. The site also anticipates that Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and perhaps other cable companies will emerge as players.